Mapping

ABSTRACT

A mapping method and system. The method includes receiving from a computing system, a selection of a first candidate skill from a list of candidate skills. The computing system receives a selection of a first work location of associated with a first skill. The computing system determines a first geographical location identifier identifying a first area comprising the first work location. The computing system determines a first work region comprising the first area and the first work location. The computing system selects a first group of suppliers associated the first work region. The computing system generates a candidate request document comprising the first candidate skill, the first work region, and the first work location. The computing system transmits to the first group of suppliers the candidate request document.

This application is a continuation application claiming priority to Ser.No. 11/757,148 filed Jun. 1, 2007.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and associated system forassociating work regions with suppliers of candidates.

BACKGROUND

Selecting an agency for providing a suitable individual to performfunctions typically requires a process that may be complicated andinaccurate. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome thedeficiencies and limitations described herein above.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a mapping comprising:

receiving, by a computing system from a requester, a command forcreating a candidate request, said computing system comprising a memorydevice, said memory device comprising, a list of candidate skills, alist of suppliers, a list of work regions, a list of geographicallocation identifiers, and a list of work locations, said requesterassociated with a first company;

associating, by said computing system, each work region of said list ofwork regions with a different group of work locations of said list ofwork locations;

associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of geographical location identifiers of said list ofgeographical location identifiers;

associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of suppliers of said list of suppliers;

presenting, by said computing system, said list of candidate skills tosaid requester;

receiving from said requester, by said computing system, a selection ofa first candidate skill from said list of candidate skills;

receiving, from said requester by said computing system, a selection ofa first work location of said list of work locations, said first worklocation associated with said first skill;

determining, by said computing system, a first geographical locationidentifier of said list of geographical location identifiers, said firstgeographical location identifier identifying a first area comprisingsaid first work location;

determining, by said computing system, a first work region of said listof work regions, said first work region comprising said first area andsaid first work location;

selecting, by said computing system for said requester, a first group ofsuppliers of said list of suppliers, said first group of suppliersassociated said first work region;

presenting, by said computing system to said requester, said first groupof suppliers;

generating, by said computing system, a candidate request document, saidcandidate request document comprising said first candidate skill, saidfirst work region, and said first work location; and

transmitting, by said computing system to said first group of suppliers,said candidate request document.

The present invention provides a computing system comprising a processorcoupled to a computer-readable memory unit, said memory unit comprisinga list of candidate skills, a list of suppliers, a list of work regions,a list of geographical location identifiers, a list of work locations,and instructions that when executed by the processor implement a mappingmethod, said method comprising:

receiving, by said computing system from a requester, a command forcreating a candidate request, said requester associated with a firstcompany;

associating, by said computing system, each work region of said list ofwork regions with a different group of work locations of said list ofwork locations;

associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of geographical location identifiers of said list ofgeographical location identifiers;

associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of suppliers of said list of suppliers;

presenting, by said computing system, said list of candidate skills tosaid requester;

receiving from said requester, by said computing system, a selection ofa first candidate skill from said list of candidate skills;

receiving, from said requester by said computing system, a selection ofa first work location of said list of work locations, said first worklocation associated with said first skill;

determining, by said computing system, a first geographical locationidentifier of said list of geographical location identifiers, said firstgeographical location identifier identifying a first area comprisingsaid first work location;

determining, by said computing system, a first work region of said listof work regions, said first work region comprising said first area andsaid first work location;

selecting, by said computing system for said requester, a first group ofsuppliers of said list of suppliers, said first group of suppliersassociated said first work region;

presenting, by said computing system to said requester, said first groupof suppliers;

generating, by said computing system, a candidate request document, saidcandidate request document comprising said first candidate skill, saidfirst work region, and said first work location; and

transmitting, by said computing system to said first group of suppliers,said candidate request document.

The present invention provides a computer program product, comprising acomputer usable medium comprising a list of candidate skills, a list ofsuppliers, a list of work regions, a list of geographical locationidentifiers, a list of work locations, and a computer readable programcode embodied therein, said computer readable program code adapted toimplement a mapping method within a computing system, said methodcomprising:

receiving, by said computing system from a requester, a command forcreating a candidate request, said requester associated with a firstcompany;

associating, by said computing system, each work region of said list ofwork regions with a different group of work locations of said list ofwork locations;

associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of geographical location identifiers of said list ofgeographical location identifiers;

associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of suppliers of said list of suppliers;

presenting, by said computing system, said list of candidate skills tosaid requester;

receiving from said requester, by said computing system, a selection ofa first candidate skill from said list of candidate skills;

receiving, from said requester by said computing system, a selection ofa first work location of said list of work locations, said first worklocation associated with said first skill;

determining, by said computing system, a first geographical locationidentifier of said list of geographical location identifiers, said firstgeographical location identifier identifying a first area comprisingsaid first work location;

determining, by said computing system, a first work region of said listof work regions, said first work region comprising said first area andsaid first work location;

selecting, by said computing system for said requester, a first group ofsuppliers of said list of suppliers, said first group of suppliersassociated said first work region;

presenting, by said computing system to said requester, said first groupof suppliers;

generating, by said computing system, a candidate request document, saidcandidate request document comprising said first candidate skill, saidfirst work region, and said first work location; and

transmitting, by said computing system to said first group of suppliers,said candidate request document.

The present invention provides a process for supporting computerinfrastructure, said process comprising providing at least one supportservice for at least one of creating, integrating, hosting, maintaining,and deploying computer-readable code in a computing system comprising amemory unit, said memory unit comprising a list of candidate skills, alist of suppliers, a list of work regions, a list of geographicallocation identifiers, and a list of work locations, wherein the code incombination with the computing system is capable of performing a mappingmethod, said method comprising:

receiving, by said computing system from a requester, a command forcreating a candidate request, said requester associated with a firstcompany;

associating, by said computing system, each work region of said list ofwork regions with a different group of work locations of said list ofwork locations;

associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of geographical location identifiers of said list ofgeographical location identifiers;

associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of suppliers of said list of suppliers;

presenting, by said computing system, said list of candidate skills tosaid requester;

receiving from said requester, by said computing system, a selection ofa first candidate skill from said list of candidate skills;

receiving, from said requester by said computing system, a selection ofa first work location of said list of work locations, said first worklocation associated with said first skill;

determining, by said computing system, a first geographical locationidentifier of said list of geographical location identifiers, said firstgeographical location identifier identifying a first area comprisingsaid first work location;

determining, by said computing system, a first work region of said listof work regions, said first work region comprising said first area andsaid first work location;

selecting, by said computing system for said requester, a first group ofsuppliers of said list of suppliers, said first group of suppliersassociated said first work region;

presenting, by said computing system to said requester, said first groupof suppliers;

generating, by said computing system, a candidate request document, saidcandidate request document comprising said first candidate skill, saidfirst work region, and said first work location; and

transmitting, by said computing system to said first group of suppliers,said candidate request document.

The present invention advantageously provides a method and associatedsystem capable of selecting an agency for providing a suitableindividual to perform functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for generating acandidate request and routing the candidate request to a plurality ofassociated suppliers, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart describing an algorithm used by thesystem of FIG. 1 for generating a candidate request and routing thecandidate request to a plurality of associated suppliers.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b in combination illustrate an example of a computerscreen shot associated with a first set of steps from the algorithm ofFIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a computer screen shot sectionassociated with a first step from the algorithm of FIG. 2, in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a computer screen shot sectionadditionally associated with the first step from the algorithm of FIG.2, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a computer screen shot section furtherassociated with the first step from the algorithm of FIG. 2, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b in combination illustrate an example of a computerscreen shot associated with a second step from the algorithm of FIG. 2,in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a computer system used for generating a candidaterequest and routing the candidate request to a plurality of associatedsuppliers, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 2 for generating acandidate request and routing the candidate request to a plurality ofassociated suppliers, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. System 2 may be used for:

1. Generating associations between work locations, work regions,geographical location identifiers, suppliers, and pricing rates.2. Allowing a user (e.g., a requester using terminal 8 a) to select awork location (e.g., company location, customer location, remotelocation, etc) for a candidate (e.g., contractors, job applicants, etc)to perform a function comprising the selected skill or skill set.3. Determining a geographical location (i.e., comprising a geographicallocation identifier such as, inter alia, a country name, a city name, astate name, a postal code, etc) comprising the work location.4. Allowing a user (e.g., a requester using terminal 8 a) to select askill or skill set for generating a request for candidates (e.g.,contractors, job applicants, etc) to perform a function comprising theselected skill or skill set.5. Determining a work region comprising the work location by using thegeographical location identifiers and a service type of the selectedskill or skill set. A service type is a skill type classification (e.g.,technical skills, administrative skills, educational skills, etc).6. Providing a list of suppliers (e.g., employment agencies) within thework region.7. Assigning pricing rates to the list of suppliers (i.e., rates paid tothe suppliers for providing contractors).8. Generating a request (including work region specific pricing) forcandidates.9. Sending the request to the suppliers on the list.

A requester is defined herein as a person/people (e.g., users from anentity such as, inter alia, a company) looking for a candidate orresource (i.e., a person/people with a specific skill(s)) to perform afunction comprising a selected skill or skill set. A supplier is definedherein as an external entity or company (e.g., an employment agency)capable of satisfying candidate requests 9 (i.e., providing candidates).A work location is defined herein as a location where a candidate orresource will work (i.e., perform job duties). For example a worklocation may be a company location (e.g., a specific regional facilityfor a company), customer (i.e., for the company) location,remote/satellite company location, etc. A geographical location isdefined herein as a geographical area that comprises a work location.For example, a geographical location may comprise a country, a city, apostal code etc. A geographical location identifier comprises analpha/numeric identifier for the geographical location. For example, ageographical location identifier may comprise, inter alia, a countryname, a city name, a state name, a postal code, etc. A work region isdefined herein as a broad geographical area that may comprise ageographical location and several work locations. For example, a workregion may comprise a multi-state area, a plurality of cities, etc. Asoftware application (e.g., software application 16 a) generates theassociations between work locations, work regions, geographical locationidentifiers, suppliers, and pricing rates. The requester interacts withthe software application (e.g., software application 16 a) to select awork location and the software application determines the geographicallocation comprising the work location. The requester selects a specifiedcandidate skill (e.g, a Java programmer, etc) to be performed in thework location and the software application determines a work regioncomprising the work location by using the geographical locationidentifiers and a service type of the selected skill or skill set. Aservice type is defined herein as a skill type classification (e.g.,technical skills, administrative skills, educational skills, etc). Thesoftware application generates a list of suppliers (e.g., employmentagencies) associated with the work region and assigns work regionspecific pricing rates to the list of suppliers (i.e., rates paid to thesuppliers for providing contractors).

System 2 comprises a computing system 4 a (e.g., a server) connected toa computing system 4 b (e.g., a server) through an interface 10.Interface 10 may comprise any type of interface known to a person ofordinary skill in the art including, inter alia, a local area network,(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, etc. Computing system 4a comprises a computing apparatus 5 a and an interface terminal 8 a.Computing system 4 b comprises a computing apparatus 5 b and aninterface terminal 8 b. Computing apparatus 5 a comprises a CPU 9 a anda memory device 14 a. Alternatively, memory device 14 a may be locatedexternal to computing apparatus 5 a. Memory device 14 a comprises asoftware application 16 a, lists 11, input data 19, and requestdocuments 22. Lists 11 and input data 19 may be inputted into computingapparatus 5 a through interface terminal 8 a. Computing apparatus 5 bcomprises a CPU 9 b and a memory device 14 b. Alternatively, memorydevice 14 b may be located external to computing apparatus 5 b.Candidate data 17 (i.e., comprising lists of candidates and responsesfrom the suppliers) may be inputted into computing apparatus 5 b throughinterface terminal 8 b.

In order to initiate a process generating a candidate request androuting the candidate request to a plurality of associated suppliers arequester logs into computing system 5 a. The following process stepsillustrate an example of a process (i.e., using system 2) for acandidate request and routing the candidate request to a plurality ofassociated suppliers.

1. For a given project there is a need to hire candidates/resources witha given skill set. A project may be performed either in a company (i.e.,requesting company) location or an alternative location such a customerlocation, temporary location, etc.2. The requester logs in into software application 16 a to create arequest document for requested skills. In response, computing apparatuspresents to the requester a template comprising questions. Using thetemplate, the requester may select any type of request such as new,referral, or renewal and continue to input request details data (e.g.,input data 19) such as, inter alia, project name, type of request,project coordinators, accounting information, etc.3. The requester may additionally input skills details data (e.g., inputdata 19) such as, inter alia, a job role, job position details, dates,work location, etc. Generally, the requester has two options for a worklocation: a company location or other location.

-   -   A. If the requester selects a company location, the requester        will have the ability to filter a list of company facilities        (i.e., from lists 11) by selecting a city, etc within the        region.    -   B. If the requester selects an other location (e.g. customer        location, remote office, etc), the requester will have to        provide specific address information such as street address line        1, street address line 2, postal code, and city. Software        application 16 a will suggest an appropriate name of city        comprising the other location with a type ahead functionality.        For example, the requester may only be required to know the        first two letters of the city to trigger the type ahead        functionality and select the more appropriate one.        4. The requester will select a primary skill or skill set (i.e.,        from lists 11) and a service type for the selected skill is        determined.        5. The requester may select a level for the core skills and        secondary skills may be added if needed        6. If requested skill is renewal or referral requester will        provide candidate information.        7. If the selected skill set is a hot skill, the requester will        have to provide competitive bid information.        8. The requester will either select a supplier where the company        has agreements or provide the information of a new supplier.    -   A. Computing system 4 a will display to the requester, a list of        suppliers close to the selected location. This is done by        calculating a work region. Regardless of requester selection of        the work location, computing system 4 a may determine a work        region given a country, region, city, postal code or work        location.    -   B. A company work location is may be attached to a given work        location per country and service type.    -   C. For an other location, there may be multiple combinations to        obtain work regions since every country may have a different way        to organize suppliers. For example, Germany may have only one        single work region given the country policies while other        countries such as, Canada, China, or France may have work        regions configured by state/region/province or city, which may        make the search more specific. The United States, France, and        Canada may have some work regions by city or postal code        dependent upon the amount of suppliers, government regulations,        etc. In order to achieve this business requirement, an algorithm        implemented by software application 16 a is described as        follows:        -   1. A work region may be located by using a service type,            country, region, city, and postal code.        -   2. If there is no work region configured at that level            (i.e., level 1), a work region may be located by using a            service type, country, region, and city.        -   3. If there is no work region configured at that level            (i.e., level 2), a work region may be located by using            service type, country, region, and postal code.        -   4. If there is no work region configured at that level            (i.e., level 3), a work region may be located by using            service type, country, and region.        -   5. If there is no work region configured at that level            (i.e., level 4), a work region may be located by using            service type and country.    -   D. Once computing system 4 a has calculated the work region,        computing system 4 a will be able to locate a corresponding        pricing area, rates and suppliers configured so the requester        may continue with request generation process.        9. Once the requester has finished, he/she may enable the        generation of a request document.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart describing an algorithm used by system 2of FIG. 1 for generating a candidate request and routing the candidaterequest to a plurality of associated suppliers. In step 30, thecomputing system (e.g., computing system 4 a in FIG. 1) generatesassociations between work locations, work regions, geographical locationidentifiers, suppliers, and pricing rates. In step 32, a requester logsinto the computing system (e.g., computing system 4 a of FIG. 1). Instep 34, the computing system (e.g., computing system 4 a in FIG. 1)presents the requester a request template (i.e., comprising questions)for generating a request document. In step 36, the requester inputs(i.e., via terminal 8 a of FIG. 1) request details data into thecomputing system. In step 37, the requester selects a work location. Instep 38, the requester is presented a list of skills and the requesterselects a needed skill. In step 40, the computing system determines ageographical location for the work location. In step 42, the computingsystem determines a work region for the geographical location and thework location. In step 44, the work region determined in step 42 is usedto generate an associated list of work region specific suppliers forproviding resources for the work location. In step 46, a group ofpricing rates for the suppliers is determined. In step 48, a requestdocument (i.e., comprising the selected skill) is generated. In step 50,the request is transmitted to the suppliers determined in step 44. Instep 52, the suppliers transmit lists of candidates and the processterminates in step 54.

An example for implementation of software application 16 a forgenerating a candidate request and routing the candidate request to aplurality of associated suppliers is described as follows:

Computing system 4 a has 436 cities configured in the United States. Thecities are distributed among 12 different work regions as illustrated intable 1.

TABLE 1 Number Work of Number of County Region ID Regions Cities USABoston 3 94 USA California 1 1 USA Chicago 2 69 USA Hawaii 1 8 USA NewYork 4 204 City USA North 14 14 Central USA North East 10 10 USARochester, 1 3 MN USA South 7 7 Central USA South East 10 11 USAWashington 3 63 D.C. USA West 8 8The work location comprises the following address:

123 Main St Essex Junction Vermont 05452.

The work region configured in Vermont is illustrated in table 2.

TABLE 2 Work County Region Region ID USA VT Northeast

Since the work region is only configured at region level, computingsystem 4 a will perform four attempts in order to find a work region asillustrated below:

1. Find the work region by using US, VT, ESSEX JUNCTION and 05452.2. Find the work region by using US, VT and ESSEX JUNCTION.3. Find the work region by using US, VT and 05452.4. Find the work region by using US, and VT.

Therefore, the resulting work region will be NORTH EAST. Once the workregion is located, the work region will be used to determine a pricingarea as illustrated in table 3.

TABLE 3 Service Work Company ID Country type Region Area ID Company AUSA TSEN Northeast Area 2

A pricing area is used to determine a rate duration that will be used inthe selected work location as illustrated in table 4.

TABLE 4 Country Pricing Area Description USA Area 2 Rates notestablished based on length of assignment USA Area 2 Long term USA Area2 Medium term USA Area 2 Short term

Table 5 illustrates work region associated with suppliers for worklocations.

TABLE 5 Service Supplier ID Company ID Country Type Work Region 1234ACompany A USA TSEN Northeast 1234B Company A USA TSEN Northeast 1234CCompany A USA TSEN Northeast 1234D Company A USA TSEN Northeast 1234ECompany A USA TSEN Northeast 1234F Company A USA TSEN Northeast 1234GCompany A USA TSEN Northeast 1234H Company A USA TSEN Northeast 1234ICompany A USA TSEN Northeast 1234J Company A USA TSEN Northeast 1234KCompany A USA TSEN Northeast 1234L Company A USA TSEN Northeast 1234MCompany A USA TSEN Northeast 1234N Company A USA TSEN Northeast

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b in combination illustrate an example of a computerscreen shot 300 (e.g., displayed on interface terminal 8 a of FIG. 1)associated with steps 34, 36, and 37 of FIG. 2, in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the computing systemdisplays a work location selection section 304 of a computer screen shot300 to allow a requester to specify work location. A company location orother location may be selected. The selection in selection portion 304will populate the selection section 304 with validstates/regions/provinces related with a default country. In GlobalResource requests, the country/territory field comprises a dropdown menuwith valid countries where work locations have been configured.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a computer screen shot section 404(e.g., displayed on interface terminal 8 a of FIG. 1) associated withstep 37 of FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. In FIG. 4, the computing system displays a modified computerscreen shot section 404 (i.e., modified from selection section 304 ofFIG. 3) to allow company locations to be loaded by a bridge from a RealEstate/Site Operations database. The company locations are arranged bycity, state/region/province and country/territory. Since the country andstate are selected in selection section 304 of FIG. 3, a city field ispopulated with all cities that have at least one company location inthat given state and country. Countries like USA or Japan may havehundreds of locations spread among their different states. Softwareapplication 16 a uses a type ahead functionality so that the worklocation dropdown menu populated by only looking for work locations thatmatch the selected country, state and city.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a computer screen shot section 504(e.g., displayed on interface terminal 8 a of FIG. 1) associated withstep 37 of FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. In FIG. 5, the computing system displays a modified computerscreen shot section 504 (i.e., modified from selection section 304 ofFIG. 3) to allow non-company work locations (i.e., other work locations)to be selected. When the requester selects other location, the completeaddress information must be collected from the requester. Address line 1and address line 2 are used to specify a street name and number,apartment number, building, etc. The city may be entered as a free typetext where the requester may specify a name of the city (e.g., using akeyboard). If the requester types more than 2 letters of a city,computing system 4 a will suggest all possible cities that match the twoor more letters typed by the requester.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a computer screen shot section 604(e.g., displayed on interface terminal 8 a of FIG. 1) associated withstep 37 of FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. In FIG. 6, the computing system displays a modified computerscreen shot section 604 (i.e., modified from selection section 304 ofFIG. 3) to allow software application to adapt given a countryconfiguration. For some countries, it might be required to enter a validpostal code in order to find appropriate pricing rates or suppliers. Therequester has two options:

1. Start typing a postal code.2. Use a dropdown button to pick a closest postal code.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b in combination illustrate an example of a computerscreen shot 700 (e.g., displayed on interface terminal 8 a of FIG. 1)associated with step 44 of FIG. 2, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention. In FIG. 7, the computing system displays a screenshot section 704 comprising the associated (i.e., associated with thework region) suppliers.

FIG. 8 illustrates a computer system 90 (i.e., computing system 4 aand/or 4 b in FIG. 1) used for generating a candidate request androuting the candidate request to a plurality of associated suppliers, inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. The computersystem 90 comprises a processor 91, an input device 92 coupled to theprocessor 91, an output device 93 coupled to the processor 91, andmemory devices 94 and 95 each coupled to the processor 91. The inputdevice 92 may be, inter alia, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The outputdevice 93 may be, inter alia, a printer, a plotter, a computer screen, amagnetic tape, a removable hard disk, a floppy disk, etc. The memorydevices 94 and 95 may be, inter alia, a hard disk, a floppy disk, amagnetic tape, an optical storage such as a compact disc (CD) or adigital video disc (DVD), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), aread-only memory (ROM), etc. The memory device 95 includes a computercode 97. The computer code 97 includes algorithms (e.g., algorithm ofFIG. 2) for generating a candidate request and routing the candidaterequest to a plurality of associated suppliers. The processor 91executes the computer code 97. The memory device 94 includes input data96. The input data 96 includes input required by the computer code 97.The output device 93 displays output from the computer code 97. Eitheror both memory devices 94 and 95 (or one or more additional memorydevices not shown in FIG. 8) may comprise the algorithm of FIG. 2 andmay be used as a computer usable medium (or a computer readable mediumor a program storage device) having a computer readable program codeembodied therein and/or having other data stored therein, wherein thecomputer readable program code comprises the computer code 97.Generally, a computer program product (or, alternatively, an article ofmanufacture) of the computer system 90 may comprise said computer usablemedium (or said program storage device).

Still yet, any of the components of the present invention could bedeployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service provider who offers togenerate a modified request document. Thus the present inventiondiscloses a process for deploying or integrating computinginfrastructure, comprising integrating computer-readable code into thecomputer system 90, wherein the code in combination with the computersystem 90 is capable of performing a method for generating a candidaterequest and routing the candidate request to a plurality of associatedsuppliers. In another embodiment, the invention provides a businessmethod that performs the process steps of the invention on asubscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a serviceprovider, such as a Solution Integrator, could offer to generate acandidate request and route the candidate request to a plurality ofassociated suppliers. In this case, the service provider can create,maintain, support, etc., a computer infrastructure that performs theprocess steps of the invention for one or more customers. In return, theservice provider can receive payment from the customer(s) under asubscription and/or fee agreement and/or the service provider canreceive payment from the sale of advertising content to one or morethird parties.

While FIG. 8 shows the computer system 90 as a particular configurationof hardware and software, any configuration of hardware and software, aswould be known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, may be utilizedfor the purposes stated supra in conjunction with the particularcomputer system 90 of FIG. 8. For example, the memory devices 94 and 95may be portions of a single memory device rather than separate memorydevices.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinfor purposes of illustration, many modifications and changes will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claimsare intended to encompass all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

1. A mapping method, comprising: receiving, by a computing system from arequester, a command for creating a candidate request, said computingsystem comprising a memory device, said memory device comprising, a listof candidate skills, a list of suppliers, a list of work regions, a listof geographical location identifiers, and a list of work locations, saidrequester associated with a first company; associating, by saidcomputing system, each work region of said list of work regions with adifferent group of work locations of said list of work locations;associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of geographical location identifiers of said list ofgeographical location identifiers; associating, by said computingsystem, each said work region with a different group of suppliers ofsaid list of suppliers; determining, by a computer processor of saidcomputing system based on associated work regions of said work regionsselected from a table, pricing areas used to determine rate durationsassociated with time periods for implementing supplier pricing ratesused for selected work locations, wherein said rate durations comprisediffering rate durations including a short term duration, a medium termduration, and a short term duration; presenting, by said computingsystem, a skills template to said requester, wherein said skillstemplate consists of: said list of candidate skills; selections forselecting primary job categories; selections for selecting secondary jobcategories consisting of subcategories of said primary job categories;selections for selecting candidate skills of said list of candidateskills; selections for selecting position details consisting of: afirst, second, third or fourth work shift, weekend coverage, and on-callcoverage; selections for travel requirements; selections for loanedclient assets; and selections for selecting a planned start date, aplanned end date, and a response due date; receiving, from saidrequester by said computing system, a selection of a first work locationof said list of work locations, said first work location associated witha first pricing area of said pricing areas, a first rate duration ofsaid rate durations, and a first candidate skill of said list ofcandidate skills; determining, by said computing system, a firstgeographical location identifier of said list of geographical locationidentifiers, said first geographical location identifier identifying afirst area comprising said first work location; determining, by saidcomputing system, a first work region of said list of work regions, saidfirst work region comprising said first area and said first worklocation; after a specified time period, selecting, by said computingsystem for said requester, a first group of suppliers of said list ofsuppliers, said first group of suppliers associated said first workregion, said first group of suppliers consisting of secondary suppliersselected as a result of primary suppliers being unable to satisfy a jobcategory request; receiving, by said computing system from saidrequester, a first selection for a first primary job category of saidprimary job categories; receiving, by said computing system from saidrequester, a second selection for a first secondary job category of saidsecondary job categories; receiving, by said computing system, a thirdselection for a first position detail of said position details, saidfirst position detail consisting of a first work shift, first week endcoverage, and first on-call coverage; receiving, by said computingsystem, a fourth selection consisting of a first planned start date, afirst planned end date, and a first planned response due date forcandidate selection; generating, by said computing system, a candidaterequest document, said candidate request document comprising said firstselection, said second selection, said third selection, said fourthselection, said first candidate skill, said first work region, and saidfirst work location.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said memorydevice further comprises a list of pricing rates associated with saidlist of suppliers, and wherein said method further comprises:associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of pricing rates of said list of pricing rates; andselecting, by said computing system for said requester, a first group ofpricing rates of said list of pricing rates, wherein said first group ofpricing rates is associated with said first work region and said firstgroup of suppliers, and wherein said request document further comprisessaid first group of pricing rates.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereineach geographical location identifier of said list of geographicallocation identifiers comprises a plurality of alphanumeric characters,and wherein said method further comprises: receiving, from saidrequester by said computing system, input data comprising a firstalphanumeric character, wherein said determining said first geographicallocation identifier comprises matching said first alphanumeric characterto a second same alphanumeric character comprised by said firstgeographical identifier and displaying a group of geographicalidentifiers of said list of geographical location identifiers comprisingsaid second same alphanumeric character, and wherein said group ofgeographical identifiers comprises said first geographical identifier.4. The method of claim 1, wherein said memory device further comprises alist of service type identifiers identifying service types for eachcandidate skill of said list of candidate skills, and wherein saidmethod further comprises: determining, by said computing system, a firstservice type identifier of said list of service type identifiers,wherein said first service type identifier identifies a first servicetype for said first candidate skill; and determining, by said computingsystem, a plurality of geographical location identifiers of said list ofgeographical location identifiers, each geographical location identifierof said plurality of geographical location identifiers associated withsaid first work location, wherein said first geographical locationidentifier comprises a specified country, wherein said plurality ofgeographical location identifiers comprise a specified region, aspecified city, and a specified postal code, and wherein saiddetermining said first work region comprises using said first servicetype identifier, said specified country, said specified region, saidspecified city, and said specified postal code.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein said memory device further comprises a list of service typeidentifiers identifying service types for each candidate skill of saidlist of candidate skills, and wherein said method further comprises:determining, by said computing system, a first service type identifierof said list of service type identifiers, wherein said first servicetype identifier identifies a first service type for said first candidateskill; and determining, by said computing system, a plurality ofgeographical location identifiers of said list of geographical locationidentifiers, each geographical location identifier of said plurality ofgeographical location identifiers associated with said first worklocation, wherein said first geographical location identifier comprisesa specified country, wherein said plurality of geographical locationidentifiers comprise a specified region, and a specified city, andwherein said determining said first work region comprises using saidfirst service type identifier, said specified country, said specifiedregion, and said specified city.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein saidmemory device further comprises a list of service type identifiersidentifying service types for each candidate skill of said list ofcandidate skills, and wherein said method further comprises:determining, by said computing system, a first service type identifierof said list of service type identifiers, wherein said first servicetype identifier identifies a first service type for said first candidateskill; and determining, by said computing system, a plurality ofgeographical location identifiers of said list of geographical locationidentifiers, each geographical location identifier of said plurality ofgeographical location identifiers associated with said first worklocation, wherein said first geographical location identifier comprise aspecified country, wherein said plurality of geographical locationidentifiers comprises a specified region and a specified postal code,and wherein said determining said first work region comprises using saidfirst service type identifier, said specified country, said specifiedregion, and said specified postal code.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein said memory device further comprises a list of service typeidentifiers identifying service types for each candidate skill of saidlist of candidate skills, and wherein said method further comprises:determining, by said computing system, a first service type identifierof said list of service type identifiers, wherein said first servicetype identifier identifies a first service type for said first candidateskill; and determining, by said computing system, a second geographicallocation identifier of said list of geographical location identifiers,said second geographical location identifier associated with said firstwork location, wherein said first geographical location identifiercomprises a specified country, wherein said second geographical locationidentifier comprises a specified region, and wherein said determiningsaid first work region comprises using said first service typeidentifier, said specified country, and said specified region.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said memory device further comprises a listof service type identifiers identifying service types for each candidateskill of said list of candidate skills, and wherein said method furthercomprises: determining, by said computing system, a first service typeidentifier of said list of service type identifiers, wherein said firstservice type identifier identifies a first service type for said firstcandidate skill, wherein said first geographical location identifiercomprises a specified country, and wherein said determining said firstwork region comprises using said first service type identifier and saidspecified country.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said first worklocation comprises an onsite location for said first company.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said first work location comprises a customerlocation associated with said first company.
 11. A computing systemcomprising a computer processor coupled to a computer-readable memoryunit, said memory unit comprising a list of candidate skills, a list ofsuppliers, a list of work regions, a list of geographical locationidentifiers, a list of work locations, and instructions that whenexecuted by the computer processor implement a mapping method, saidmethod comprising: receiving, by said computing system from a requester,a command for creating a candidate request, said requester associatedwith a first company; associating, by said computing system, each workregion of said list of work regions with a different group of worklocations of said list of work locations; associating, by said computingsystem, each said work region with a different group of geographicallocation identifiers of said list of geographical location identifiers;associating, by said computing system, each said work region with adifferent group of suppliers of said list of suppliers; determining, bya computer processor of said computing system based on associated workregions of said work regions selected from a table, pricing areas usedto determine rate durations associated with time periods forimplementing supplier pricing rates used for selected work locations,wherein said rate durations comprise differing rate durations includinga short term duration, a medium term duration, and a short termduration; presenting, by said computing system, a skills template tosaid requester, wherein said skills template consists of: said list ofcandidate skills; selections for selecting primary job categories;selections for selecting secondary job categories consisting ofsubcategories of said primary job categories; selections for selectingcandidate skills of said list of candidate skills; selections forselecting position details consisting of: a first, second, third orfourth work shift, weekend coverage, and on-call coverage; selectionsfor travel requirements; selections for loaned client assets; andselections for selecting a planned start date, a planned end date, and aresponse due date; receiving, from said requester by said computingsystem, a selection of a first work location of said list of worklocations, said first work location associated with a first pricing areaof said pricing areas, a first rate duration of said rate durations, anda first candidate skill of said list of candidate skills; determining,by said computing system, a first geographical location identifier ofsaid list of geographical location identifiers, said first geographicallocation identifier identifying a first area comprising said first worklocation; determining, by said computing system, a first work region ofsaid list of work regions, said first work region comprising said firstarea and said first work location; after a specified time period,selecting, by said computing system for said requester, a first group ofsuppliers of said list of suppliers, said first group of suppliersassociated said first work region, said first group of suppliersconsisting of secondary suppliers selected as a result of primarysuppliers being unable to satisfy a job category request; receiving, bysaid computing system from said requester, a first selection for a firstprimary job category of said primary job categories; receiving, by saidcomputing system from said requester, a second selection for a firstsecondary job category of said secondary job categories; receiving, bysaid computing system, a third selection for a first position detail ofsaid position details, said first position detail consisting of a firstwork shift, first week end coverage, and first on-call coverage;receiving, by said computing system, a fourth selection consisting of afirst planned start date, a first planned end date, and a first plannedresponse due date for candidate selection; generating, by said computingsystem, a candidate request document, said candidate request documentcomprising said first selection, said second selection, said thirdselection, said fourth selection, said first candidate skill, said firstwork region, and said first work location.
 12. The computing system ofclaim 11, wherein said memory unit further comprises a list of pricingrates associated with said list of suppliers, and wherein said methodfurther comprises: associating, by said computing system, each said workregion with a different group of pricing rates of said list of pricingrates; and selecting, by said computing system for said requester, afirst group of pricing rates of said list of pricing rates, wherein saidfirst group of pricing rates is associated with said first work regionand said first group of suppliers, and wherein said request documentfurther comprises said first group of pricing rates.
 13. The computingsystem of claim 11, wherein each geographical location identifier ofsaid list of geographical location identifiers comprises a plurality ofalphanumeric characters, and wherein said method further comprises:receiving, from said requester by said computing system, input datacomprising a first alphanumeric character, wherein said determining saidfirst geographical location identifier comprises matching said firstalphanumeric character to a second same alphanumeric character comprisedby said first geographical identifier and displaying a group ofgeographical identifiers of said list of geographical locationidentifiers comprising said second same alphanumeric character, andwherein said group of geographical identifiers comprises said firstgeographical identifier.
 14. The computing system of claim 11, whereinsaid memory unit further comprises a list of service type identifiersidentifying service types for each candidate skill of said list ofcandidate skills, and wherein said method further comprises:determining, by said computing system, a first service type identifierof said list of service type identifiers, wherein said first servicetype identifier identifies a first service type for said first candidateskill; and determining, by said computing system, a plurality ofgeographical location identifiers of said list of geographical locationidentifiers, each geographical location identifier of said plurality ofgeographical location identifiers associated with said first worklocation, wherein said first geographical location identifier comprisesa specified country, wherein said plurality of geographical locationidentifiers comprise a specified region, a specified city, and aspecified postal code, and wherein said determining said first workregion comprises using said first service type identifier, saidspecified country, said specified region, said specified city, and saidspecified postal code.
 15. The computing system of claim 11, whereinsaid memory unit further comprises a list of service type identifiersidentifying service types for each candidate skill of said list ofcandidate skills, and wherein said method further comprises:determining, by said computing system, a first service type identifierof said list of service type identifiers, wherein said first servicetype identifier identifies a first service type for said first candidateskill; and determining, by said computing system, a plurality ofgeographical location identifiers of said list of geographical locationidentifiers, each geographical location identifier of said plurality ofgeographical location identifiers associated with said first worklocation, wherein said first geographical location identifier comprisesa specified country, wherein said plurality of geographical locationidentifiers comprise a specified region, and a specified city, andwherein said determining said first work region comprises using saidfirst service type identifier, said specified country, said specifiedregion, and said specified city.
 16. The computing system of claim 11,wherein said memory unit further comprises a list of service typeidentifiers identifying service types for each candidate skill of saidlist of candidate skills, and wherein said method further comprises:determining, by said computing system, a first service type identifierof said list of service type identifiers, wherein said first servicetype identifier identifies a first service type for said first candidateskill; and determining, by said computing system, a plurality ofgeographical location identifiers of said list of geographical locationidentifiers, each geographical location identifier of said plurality ofgeographical location identifiers associated with said first worklocation, wherein said first geographical location identifier comprise aspecified country, wherein said plurality of geographical locationidentifiers comprises a specified region and a specified postal code,and wherein said determining said first work region comprises using saidfirst service type identifier, said specified country, said specifiedregion, and said specified postal code.
 17. The computing system ofclaim 11, wherein said memory unit further comprises a list of servicetype identifiers identifying service types for each candidate skill ofsaid list of candidate skills, and wherein said method furthercomprises: determining, by said computing system, a first service typeidentifier of said list of service type identifiers, wherein said firstservice type identifier identifies a first service type for said firstcandidate skill; and determining, by said computing system, a secondgeographical location identifier of said list of geographical locationidentifiers, said second geographical location identifier associatedwith said first work location, wherein said first geographical locationidentifier comprises a specified country, wherein said secondgeographical location identifier comprises a specified region, andwherein said determining said first work region comprises using saidfirst service type identifier, said specified country, and saidspecified region.
 18. The computing system of claim 11, wherein saidmemory unit further comprises a list of service type identifiersidentifying service types for each candidate skill of said list ofcandidate skills, and wherein said method further comprises:determining, by said computing system, a first service type identifierof said list of service type identifiers, wherein said first servicetype identifier identifies a first service type for said first candidateskill, wherein said first geographical location identifier comprises aspecified country, and wherein said determining said first work regioncomprises using said first service type identifier and said specifiedcountry.
 19. The computing system of claim 11, wherein said first worklocation comprises an onsite location for said first company.
 20. Acomputer program product, comprising a computer readable storage devicestoring a list of candidate skills, a list of suppliers, a list of workregions, a list of geographical location identifiers, a list of worklocations, and a computer readable program code, said computer readableprogram code adapted to implement a mapping method within a computingsystem, said method comprising: receiving, by said computing system froma requester, a command for creating a candidate request, said requesterassociated with a first company; associating, by said computing system,each work region of said list of work regions with a different group ofwork locations of said list of work locations; associating, by saidcomputing system, each said work region with a different group ofgeographical location identifiers of said list of geographical locationidentifiers; associating, by said computing system, each said workregion with a different group of suppliers of said list of suppliers;determining, by a computer processor of said computing system based onassociated work regions of said work regions selected from a table,pricing areas used to determine rate durations associated with timeperiods for implementing supplier pricing rates used for selected worklocations, wherein said rate durations comprise differing rate durationsincluding a short term duration, a medium term duration, and a shortterm duration; presenting, by said computing system, a skills templateto said requester, wherein said skills template consists of: said listof candidate skills; selections for selecting primary job categories;selections for selecting secondary job categories consisting ofsubcategories of said primary job categories; selections for selectingcandidate skills of said list of candidate skills; selections forselecting position details consisting of: a first, second, third orfourth work shift, weekend coverage, and on-call coverage; selectionsfor travel requirements; selections for loaned client assets; andselections for selecting a planned start date, a planned end date, and aresponse due date; receiving, from said requester by said computingsystem, a selection of a first work location of said list of worklocations, said first work location associated with a first pricing areaof said pricing areas, a first rate duration of said rate durations, anda first candidate skill of said list of candidate skills; determining,by said computing system, a first geographical location identifier ofsaid list of geographical location identifiers, said first geographicallocation identifier identifying a first area comprising said first worklocation; determining, by said computing system, a first work region ofsaid list of work regions, said first work region comprising said firstarea and said first work location; after a specified time period,selecting, by said computing system for said requester, a first group ofsuppliers of said list of suppliers, said first group of suppliersassociated said first work region, said first group of suppliersconsisting of secondary suppliers selected as a result of primarysuppliers being unable to satisfy a job category request; receiving, bysaid computing system from said requester, a first selection for a firstprimary job category of said primary job categories; receiving, by saidcomputing system from said requester, a second selection for a firstsecondary job category of said secondary job categories; receiving, bysaid computing system, a third selection for a first position detail ofsaid position details, said first position detail consisting of a firstwork shift, first week end coverage, and first on-call coverage;receiving, by said computing system, a fourth selection consisting of afirst planned start date, a first planned end date, and a first plannedresponse due date for candidate selection; generating, by said computingsystem, a candidate request document, said candidate request documentcomprising said first selection, said second selection, said thirdselection, said fourth selection, said first candidate skill, said firstwork region, and said first work location.